CRNA vs. Anesthesiologist: What’s the Difference?

Rebecca Munday
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Updated on July 25, 2024
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Are you interested in anesthesiology, but you can’t decide between CRNA or anesthesiologist? Find out key differences between the two careers to help you decide.
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Medical professional sedating a patient before surgeryCredit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty Images

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and anesthesiologists are responsible for safely administering anesthesia to patients. Both ensure patients remain sedated during surgery and collaborate with the healthcare team if an issue arises.

The key difference is their educational background and credentials. CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses, while anesthesiologists are physicians. This guide explains the roles of CRNAs and anesthesiologists, along with their salary, job outlook, and education requirements.

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CRNA and Anesthesiologist Key Similarities and Differences

CRNAs and anesthesiologists perform many of the same duties. They care for patients before, during, and after procedures requiring anesthesia. However, their educational background, salary, practice authority, and work setting differ. CRNAs have a nursing background, while anesthesiologists have a medical background. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), anesthesiologists report higher earnings, but CRNAs are in higher demand.

What is a CRNA?

A CRNA works with physicians and surgeons to care for patients before, during, and after procedures that need anesthesia. They usually work in rural hospitals, on routine cases, and outside the operating room. They have a nursing background, a doctor of nursing practice degree (DNP), and national CRNA certification.

Depending on the practice authority in their state, CRNAs may work with surgeons or physicians independently or under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

What is an Anesthesiologist?

Anesthesiologists work with surgeons and physicians to care for patients before, during, and after procedures that need anesthesia. They tend to work with more complex cases and large hospital systems.

Anesthesiologists attend medical school, complete four years of residency, and hold a medical (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree. They supervise anesthesia assistants and CRNAs.

Anesthesiologists can practice independently and supervise CRNAs and anesthesia assistants anywhere they practice. CRNAs may only practice independently if their state allows full-practice authority and CRNA-only models. Otherwise, they practice under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

CRNAs and anesthesiologists usually work in physicians’ offices, general medical and surgical hospitals, and outpatient care centers. CRNAs are more likely to work in the offices of other healthcare practitioners, while anesthesiologists are more likely to work in higher education.

Despite their differences, CRNAs and anesthesiologists share similar responsibilities.

CRNA vs. Anesthesiologist
Comparison PointCRNAAnesthesiologist
Degree RequiredDNPMD or DO
Certification OptionsCRNA National CertificationAmerican Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) Board Certification
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Provides obstetrics and pain management care
  • Monitor and report on patients’ vital signs
  • Collaborate with physicians
  • Take patients’ medical histories
  • Give local and general anesthesia and pain management
  • Assist with bedside airway management during codes or manage difficult airway situations
  • Supervise CRNAs and anesthesia assistants
  • Handles more complex and specialized cases
  • Collaborate with physicians
  • Take patients’ medical histories
  • Give local and general anesthesia and pain management
  • Assist with bedside airway management during codes or manage difficult airway situations
Average Annual Salary(May 2023)$214,200(May 2023)$339,470
Source: BLS

Duties and Responsibilities

CRNAs and anesthesiologists share many responsibilities. The main difference is that anesthesiologists supervise CRNAs and anesthesia assistants.

In 16 states, CRNAs must be supervised by an anesthesiologist so the care they provide will be reimbursed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The remaining 34 states opt out of the facility reimbursement requirement and offer CRNAs independent practice authority.

CRNAs and anesthesiologists share many of the same responsibilities in patient care. They both:

  • Take patient histories to make sure they can safely provide pain management and anesthesia
  • Collaborate with physicians
  • Educate patients about their treatment plan
  • Answer patients’ questions about their treatment plan
  • Give local and general anesthesia
  • Provide pain management
  • Deliver emergency medical care
  • Care for patients before, during, and after surgery
  • Monitor and report on patients’ vital signs during and after procedures

However, anesthesiologists can supervise CRNAs and anesthesia assistants, a duty that not all CRNAs can perform.

Education and Certification

CRNAs complete about eight years of training, while anesthesiologists complete 12 years. CRNAs attend nursing school, hold a DNP degree, and complete at least 1,000 practicum hours. Anesthesiologists attend medical school, hold an MD or a DO degree, and complete four years of residency.

How to Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

If you choose to become a CRNA, you will spend 7-8.5 years becoming a CRNA. Before entering a CRNA doctoral program, you will:

  • Earn your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
  • Pass the National Council Licensure for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
  • Get your RN license
  • Work full-time in critical care for at least a year

You can enroll in a DNP program once you complete the clinical requirements. Some DNP programs allow you to enroll with only a BSN and get your master of science in nursing (MSN) and DNP simultaneously. Other DNP programs require you to have an MSN first.

After you complete your DNP degree, you can apply for the CRNA National Certification Exam (NCE) from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. To qualify for the NCE, you must have an unrestricted RN license and complete an accredited CRNA program within the last two years.

To apply for the NCE, you must submit:

  • A digital photo taken within the last six months
  • Your RN license number, issuing state, and expiration date for all states where you have an active RN license
  • An electronic record of your academic and clinical experience at an accredited program
  • An exam application that you’ve electronically signed

How to Become an Anesthesiologist

If you choose to become an anesthesiologist, you will spend 12 years completing a medical degree and anesthesiology residency.

First, you must complete a bachelor’s degree and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Then, you will spend four years in medical school. After medical school, you will complete a four-year residency in anesthesiology. You must complete at least one year of residency before you can sit for the last step of your licensure exam.

You’ll become a licensed anesthesiologist after passing your licensing exam and completing a residency. Then, consider becoming certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Certification is not required, but nearly 75% of anesthesiologists are certified, according to The American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Education Requirements

  • Undergraduate degree: Four-year bachelor’s program
  • Entrance exam: NCLEX-RN
  • Graduate degree: DNP program (2-3 years)
  • Practicums: Hours vary by state
  • Licensure examination: CRNA National Certification Exam
  • Total time: 7-8 years

Doctor (MD or DO) Education Requirements

  • Undergraduate degree: Four-year bachelor’s program
  • Entrance exam: MCAT
  • Graduate degree: Four-year professional doctoral program (MD or DO)
  • Residency: 4 years
  • Specialty certification: American Board of Anesthesiology Board Certification (recommended)
  • Licensure examination: United States Medical Licensing Examination or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensure Examination
  • Total time: 12 years

Salary and Career Outlook

The following section outlines how much CRNAs and anesthesiologists make and their job prospects.

$214,200
Average Annual CRNA Salary

$339,470
Average Annual Anesthesiologist Salary

Source: BLS

CRNA Salary and Career Outlook

The average annual salary for CRNAs is $214,200. Earnings vary based on experience, location, facility, and the ability to negotiate with prospective employers.

The BLS projects CRNA jobs to grow 9% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average 3% for all occupations. About 4,500 CRNA job openings are projected to become available over the next decade. The job opportunities may vary based on location and facility requirements.

Anesthesiologist Salary and Career Outlook

The average annual salary for anesthesiologists is $339,470.

The BLS also projects anesthesiologist jobs to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032 — less than CRNAs. This figure aligns with the average job growth in the U.S. About 1,000 anesthesiologist job openings are projected to become available over the decade.

CRNA vs. Anesthesiologist: Which Career is Right For Me?

Whether you should become a CRNA or an anesthesiologist depends on your preferences about practice authority, salary, education requirements, career outlook, and case type.

If you care more about earning a higher salary, working complex or specialized cases, and maintaining your independence anywhere you choose to practice, consider becoming an anesthesiologist. If you want to join a rapidly growing field sooner and with less debt, consider a career as a CRNA.

  • Education timeline: CRNAs take 7-8.5 years to complete their education, including practicum experiences. In contrast, anesthesiologists take at least 12 years to complete their education and residency requirements.
  • Job security: BLS projects 4,500 new jobs for CRNAs between 2022 and 2032 compared to 1,000 new jobs for anesthesiologists in the same period.
  • Debt: By the time they finish their education and start practicing independently, CRNAs have an average of about $100,000 less in student loan debt than anesthesiologists.
  • Salary: Anesthesiologists make about $125,000 more annually than CRNAs, which is $60.23 more an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions About CRNA vs. Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiologists earn higher salaries than CRNAs. The average annual salary for CRNAs is $214,200, while anesthesiologists earn $339,470.

Page last reviewed on July 10, 2024